GSST vs SPY
Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, GSST or SPY?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GSST | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.29% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 378 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -0.18% | +11.45%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.71% | +15.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.24% | +20.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.31% | +12.59%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.4%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.5%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,768 | $18,093Best |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 15, 2019 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 17, 2019 to Sep 15, 2026 (7.4 years).
GSST vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.4 years both funds cover.
GSST vs SPY Performance
Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GSST returned +0.71% while SPY returned +15.87%. Year to date, GSST is down 0.18% versus a gain of 11.45% for SPY.
Over three years, GSST compounded at +4.24% per year against +20.93% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.31% and +12.59% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +15.00% annualized vs +2.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 1.4% for GSST. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -3.5% for GSST and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSST charges 0.16% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $9 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSST currently yields 4.29% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 165 holdings in GSST and 504 in SPY, totalling 42.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 165 positions we hold weights for in GSST and 504 in SPY, against full books of 378 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSST and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GSST or SPY?
GSST has an expense ratio of 0.16% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSST or SPY?
Over the past year GSST returned +0.71% vs +15.87% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), GSST annualized +2.85% vs +15.00% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSST or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 1.4% for GSST. Worst drawdown: GSST -3.5% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both GSST and SPY?
GSST and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSST or SPY?
GSST yields 4.29% while SPY yields 0.98%, so GSST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than GSST?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.